It is with abiding grief and calming memory that we announce the death of James William Roddick. Husband, father, grandfather, brother, friend—Jim died in his home under the watchful care of his wife on November 19, 2023 at the age of 76. Forever remembered by his wife, Eva Roddick; his children, Afton (Sean) Manley, Jacob Roddick, Stefanie Roddick, Rachael (Ryan) Hagge; his step-children, Brian Lewis, Collette Boguslawski , and Carl Lewis; his siblings, Charlotte Lahti, Janet Workman, Nancy Goodman, Donna Bowman; and twenty grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews, and friends.

Jim was born March 21, 1947 in Fullerton, California. From birth Jim was a dedicated, strong and sensitive soul. At the age of one, Jim won the Fullerton baby contest for "the best looking baby". Jim moved with his family to Alaska when he was just five years old. At the age of six, he set out on an expedition to bring his four-year-old sister, Charlotte, to the newly-built local hospital by giving her a piggy-back ride the entire way. At ten, he was busy running a paper route, a successful venture partially due to his sister Charlotte's assistance–she would carry the papers in the Alaska cold to "keep her warm". At twelve, Jim was amongst an adventurous group of boy scouts who braved the White River before it was closed to all non-natives as a result of the river being too dangerous. By the time Jim was in high school he had become a gifted athlete; baseball, hockey, football, lacrosse, track and field- he excelled at them all. He was the high school quarterback, the star of the hockey team, a stellar hitter, and a quick-footed hurdler. You would never know of his rich athleticism by just talking to Jim. He was private and collected about all of his affairs, but in many ways that is what made him so remarkable.

He attended West Point Military Academy on a hockey scholarship straight out of highschool, a choice made, apparently, without the knowledge that West Point was a military school. He transferred to Bemidji State University where he played Lacrosse and Hockey during the 1965 - 1966 school year. After a year Jim returned to his Alaskan roots and attended the University of Alaska, Fairbanks. Jim continued his athletic pursuits by playing hockey for the Nanooks for three years. Jim earned MVP during the 1967 - 1968 season with 10 goals and 4 assists. Jim married his high school sweetheart, Darleen Sajak in 1969 and graduated with a degree in Civil Engineering in May 1970. Jim began his lengthy career in civil service by working as a Radon inspector. Jim divorced Darleen after four years and spent some time working for the Municipality of Anchorage as an Engineer. Jim moonlighted as the owner and operator of the Mercantile in Girdwood, Alaska with the help of his parents and Mayda, his second wife. After the second marriage ended, Jim moved to Eagle River and began working for Alyeska Pipeline on July 20th, 1981.

Shortly thereafter, Jim met the love of his life through a home teaching assignment. Jim was assigned to home teach Evelyn Johnson, who was the confidant of Eva Lewis. Jim asked Eva out around the Fourth of July and soon discovered that Eva had five children: Brian, Collette, Carl, Afton, and Jacob. Jim would later describe that moment as a profound spiritual experience because the spirit had to keep reassuring him that "it would be okay". Despite the steep learning curve Jim proposed at the Alaska State Fair at the peak of the Ferris Wheel. Jim and Eva were married for time and all eternity on September 30th, 1983 at the Seattle, Washington Temple. Jim and Eva welcomed Stefanie and Rachael just a year after they were married. Jim and Eva welcomed their last son, Spencer in January of 1986. Jim adapted to a full house and fuller responsibilities, and was tempered through experience into fatherhood.

Jim was a profound man of few words. He reveled in good food, honest work, and good company. Jim continued to work for Alyeska Pipeline, a fact that he was extraordinarily proud of, and spent the remainder of his time focused on his family and his various projects. Jim moved his family to North Pole, Alaska and lived across the street from Santa's Workshop. From tickling "six packs" to skating rinks, sporting events to fishing, Jim enveloped himself in his family. Every Saturday morning Jim would reward his kids with doughnuts after the house was cleaned and the garbage was dropped off at the local dump.

Jim always had a few projects up his sleeves to occupy his ever active mind. Most of the projects involved building or maintaining things. Jim was a builder, and enjoyed the creative process and engineering necessary to see a project come together. He would savor watching his boys swing a hammer or use a power tool in the construction of barns, sheds, coops, and shelves.

Ever the jokester, Jim was known for his often dry but intelligent sense of humor. He is remembered for biting the heads off of fish, screaming during polar plunges, pulling his groin water skiing, and generally enjoying the company and antics of his kids. He spent many years volunteering as the scoutmaster for his local boy scout troop, but he always had one of his kids along on the many adventures.

He was generous to a fault, as observed when he stopped for one Alaskan wanderer and her dogs on the Parks Hwy. He proceeded to drop them off at his sister's house, unannounced, because the twins couldn't bear leaving the dogs in the cold. Jim gave abundantly of his resources to family members, and would open his home to those in need without question.

In 2002, Jim moved back to Wasilla, Alaska to help Alyeska manage the geological analysis of the pipeline after an Alaska earthquake but the vitality and adventure remained a constant part of his life. While in Wasilla, Jim watched his children graduate high school, attend college, serve a mission and marry.

Jim retired from Alyeska Pipeline in 2012 after thirty-one years of service and moved to Rexburg, Idaho to enjoy his retirement. In Rexburg, Jim could be found zipping around the mountains in his Razor, visiting the shooting range, playing with and spoiling his grandkids, cruising around the development on his mower, building and improving his estate with countless projects. Jim loved giving his grandkids rides and would often put his grandkids to sleep by mowing the grass with them in his lap. He quietly dedicated his time to his son, Spencer, his grandkids, and local widows. He will be sorely missed.

Public viewing Monday, November 27th from 5:30 - 7:00 PM at Flamm Funeral Home in Rexburg, ID. Memorial service will be held at the Flamm Funeral Home (61 S First E. Rexburg, ID) on Tuesday, November  28th at 11:00 AM (MST). Following the memorial service, there will be a graveside dedication for family at the Sutton Cemetery in Archer, ID.

The family suggests that memorials may be sent to Eva Roddick at 3851 Woodland Drive; Rexburg, ID 83440.

Service will be broadcasted at: https://my.gather.app/remember/james-roddick